This year’s celebration of the Marikina Polytechnic College’s 22nd Charter Day Anniversary symbolizes growth, resilience, and academic excellence. This simple yet meaningful celebration on April 14, 2026, has become an opportunity for both employees and students to share successes with the very people who make MPC a community. From the seasoned administrators who have seen decades of leadership to the students eager for a digital future, these stories remind us that while buildings and titles change, the heart of MPC is built on shared memories and an unrelenting drive for a future-ready academic institution.

Rising from the Ashes

For School Library Assistant, Maria Angelina Rosario B. Ramos, progress is measured by the resilience shown after tragedy. “In my 15 years of service, the most painful memory I carry is the fire on December 23, 2014, when thousands of books, computers, and materials were turned to ash. A temporary library was set up at the third floor of the Automotive and Electronics building just a month later. Since then, I have seen the institution evolve dramatically, from holding graduations at the MPC Quadrangle to using bigger facilities like Assumption Antipolo, and shifting our focus from team buildings to strategic planning. Today, the library is finally in a nicer, larger, air-conditioned space. My hope for the future is that we continue this growth by filling these shelves with even more new books for our students,” Ms. Ramos shared.

Healing and Growth

The medical frontline has mirrored this transformation. Dr. Anthony Y. Co, a medical officer with 31 years of service, remembers a time when the “ward” was merely a small corner without a dedicated clinic. “Looking back over my 31 years of service, I remember when our medical ward was small and we did not have a specific, dedicated clinic. Since then, the institution has made great strides. The clinic now has a permanent location, and medicines are much easier to access, whereas before, our supplies were so limited that we had to rely heavily on giving out prescriptions for students and staff to buy elsewhere. My hope and expectation for the future is to see even faster procurement processes for our clinic supplies so we can provide uninterrupted care,” Dr. Co recalled.

Maria Rosario C. Somera, also a medical officer with 31 years of service, joined the institution at the young age of 20. “I started here at 20, and that very first batch I handled left me with cherished memories. It was through them that I truly enjoyed my work and learned to love my profession. Throughout my 31 years of service, I have seen leadership come and go, and through every transition, we have learned to adapt and keep moving forward. Sana ang mga empleyado natin will truly learn to love and care for our institution as much as we do,” Ms. Somera stated.

Leadership and Vision

The evolution from classroom instruction to administrative leadership highlights the institution’s sustainability. Dr. Rowena C. Mande, Director for Publications with 35 years of service, reflects on the systemic changes. “Before transitioning into administrative work, I spent my early years as a typical classroom teacher, experiencing the normal day-to-day operations of the school. Over my 35 years in service, I have seen how every administration has brought a unique contribution to the improvement and sustainability of the institution, especially during our transition to becoming MPC and the development of our international partnerships. We are looking forward to National TVET University as envisioned by the present administration, led by Dr. Rene M. Colocar, which is just one of his many contributions in his time – the sustainability of the college’s services to its community and to the country as a whole. My message is that we remain united in purpose, and my hope is that we continue to produce leaders who understand that their contributions are vital to the future lives of the students and the community members of this institution,” Dr. Mande said.

The Alumnus Perspective

For Professor Nelson O. Arguilles, Shoe and Leathercraft Development Center Director, the 22nd Charter Day is a full-circle moment. As an alumnus turned employee, he noted the shift in institutional pace. “As an alumnus from the batches of 2009 and 2015, my core memory is the fulfillment of returning to MPC as an employee and being given the opportunity to teach. I have seen remarkable changes in our institution. Back when I was a student, progress felt slow, but today our infrastructure has flourished and we finally have clear systems and processes in place. Sana kasabay ng pag-unlad ng institusyon ay paglago ng iba’t ibang programa ng MPC at sana  manatili pa rin ang pagkakaisa ng mga tao at ng mga empleyado,” Prof. Arguilles stated.

The Student Journey

The current student body represents the “new” MPC that has moved from the hallways into modern laboratories. Fourth year Food and Service Management student Shiela Mae Encinares noted the improvements at MPC. “As a fourth-year student, my core memory of our early days is that our classes were mostly held in the hallways. We have seen significant changes since then with the addition of better classrooms. While we still occasionally hold sessions in the hallways depending on our major subjects, it is nothing like the frequency we experienced before. My message and expectation for the future is for the institution to provide clearer and more timely announcements to help us navigate our student life better,” Encinares shared.

Angelyn Angeles remembered a time when laboratories were incomplete and the canteen lacked seating.  “I remember when our laboratory rooms were far apart and lacked the complete equipment we needed, and our canteen was so small that there were never enough chairs for everyone. Today, our laboratories are now fully equipped and accessible, and we have two more canteens with plenty of seating, alongside monthly events that allow us to showcase our skills. For the future, my hope is for a dedicated student portal where we can easily access all our school information in one place,” Angeles disclosed.

Ma. Angelica Llavor recalled the physical toll of the old infrastructure.   “My core memory of my early days here is of the IRGO and Registrar’s offices being so small that they had no waiting areas. You would find yourself either soaked in the rain or burning under the sun while waiting for your turn. Now, we have much larger offices for the IRGO and Registrar with proper waiting spaces, and the cashier is conveniently located nearby. Looking ahead, my hope and expectation is for the school to develop a dedicated student portal so we can access our information and school records more easily,” Llavor stated.

Civil Technology student Joey Nobleza highlighted the technological leap. “Looking back on my time as a Civil Tech student, my journey has been both challenging and enjoyable, though certainly stressful at times. A core memory for me was the lack of resources. We had few computers that we often had to share one personal computer between and among three people, which caused a lot of delays in our work. I’ve seen a great transformation, as we now have air-conditioned classrooms with enough tables and chairs, and every student finally has his/her own computer to use. For the future, I hope the institution develops a student portal to make viewing our grades much easier and more efficient,” Nobleza imparted.#